SBCEJM -Chapter 202 The Cradle Woven by His Own Hands! The Marquis Censor’s Fatherly Love Hidden in Every Bamboo Strip

The Crown Prince, Xiao Mingxuan, was completely absorbed, his eyes shining brightly.

He secretly slipped from the first row to the fourth row.

His movements were light and careful, afraid his imperial father would notice.

Leaning close to Feng Huai’an, he lowered his voice and said, “Censor Feng, if there’s a chance, I’d like to see your bamboo weaving skills.”

“My bamboo fan just broke a few days ago…”

Xiao Juechen, sitting high on the dragon throne, cast a sideways glance at his son.

His gaze was so cold it could freeze a man to death.

How dare he move so casually during court?

The Crown Prince felt a killing stare from behind and his neck went cold.

He stiffly turned his head—and indeed saw his father staring straight at him.

That look clearly said: Are you itching for a beating?

The Crown Prince gave an awkward smile and quickly retreated back to his seat.

He muttered inwardly: That look from Father… is even more terrifying than Censor Feng’s mousetraps.

—

【Back then, your father would wake up before dawn every day, wearing bamboo slippers as he paced around the courtyard, inspecting his mousetraps one by one.】

The system spoke cheerfully.

【Whenever he saw a mouse caught, his eyes would light up immediately. He’d crouch down and examine it closely: “Heh! This bamboo strip thickness is just right!”】

【“This spring curvature is perfect too!”】

【“As expected of my Feng Huai’an’s masterpiece!”】

【Then he’d use bamboo tongs to grab the mouse by the belly and happily run off to your mother: “Madam, look! Such a big one!”】

【Your mother would roll her eyes: “Enough, enough, throw it away already. Don’t wave it in front of me.”】

【Your father would grin and immediately go off to inspect the next trap.】

【That proud look of his… just like a child showing off a new toy.】

Feng Zhaoya was trying hard not to laugh.

【My father is way too showy!】

【Exactly!】the system replied.

【He even displayed his proudest pieces in the center of his study. Whenever guests came, he would “casually” guide the conversation: “Recently I’ve been studying bamboo weaving, and I’ve made some small progress.”】

【Then he would eagerly wait for praise.】

【If someone said, “Censor Feng is truly skilled,” he would be happy the entire day!】

【If the guest didn’t notice, he would repeatedly emphasize: “Look over there, that screen is my work…”】

【“That pen holder is also one of my proudest pieces…”】

【Until he got praised, he wouldn’t stop.】

Feng Zhaoya laughed so hard she nearly collapsed.

【So my father… was basically forcing himself to show off!】

【Just how much does he love showing off?】

The officials around them were twitching their mouths.

The dignified Deputy Imperial Censor… was actually so childish when young?

The Minister of War secretly glanced at Feng Huai’an, amused.

So Lord Feng also had such a likable side.

The Ministry of Works officer’s eyes lit up.

Censor Feng’s craftsmanship… might actually be useful for state engineering projects.

Feng Huai’an: Daughter… can you please save me some dignity?

—

【In less than three months, mice in a half-li radius nearly disappeared completely!】

The system continued.

【The neighbors were puzzled—why were there suddenly no mice? Had there been a plague of cats?】

【Your father immediately ran out to clarify: “Not cat plague! My mousetraps are just that good!”】

【The neighbors were half-believing, half-doubting, until your father directly gave them a few traps.】

【After using them, every one of them came back giving a thumbs-up: “Censor Feng, your craftsmanship is divine!”】

Feng Zhaoya laughed until her stomach hurt.

【My father really couldn’t wait for the whole world to know he could make mousetraps!】

【Exactly! After that, people came knocking every few days to buy them.】

The system changed tone.

【Your mother looked at the people coming to the door and started thinking.】

【After some thought, she cautiously asked your father: “Husband, since your craftsmanship is so good, why not open a shop? It could supplement our income and help the neighbors.”】

【Your father froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up. “Madam is right!”】

【“My skills must not be wasted!”】

【So the couple discussed it for an entire night and the next day rented a small shop at the street corner.】

【They sold bamboo products made by your father—mousetraps, bamboo baskets, bamboo fans, pen holders…】

The system became excited.

【And guess what happened?】

【The shop was insanely popular!】

【Your father was an eighth-rank minor official, earning only two taels of silver a month.】

【But that bamboo shop made five taels of net profit in the first month!】

【Six taels in the second month!】

【Eight taels in the third month!】

【His side income became four times his official salary!】

Feng Zhaoya widened her eyes.

【Damn… if my father quit his job and only did bamboo weaving, wouldn’t he have gotten rich long ago?】

The Minister of Revenue’s eyes turned red.

Craftsmanship… truly is a golden rice bowl!

He silently began planning: maybe he should teach orphans in the Charity Bureau some practical skills.

The Minister of Personnel shook his head slightly.

This income gap… is just too outrageous.

—

【Your mother looked at the account books, smiling so much her eyes curved.】

【She couldn’t help but say: “Husband, this shop earns more than your official salary. Maybe…”】

Before she could finish, your father shook his head.

The system mimicked Feng Huai’an’s voice.

【“Being an official is not for salary. If everyone only thinks about making money, who will serve the people?”】

【He paused, then said seriously: “Bamboo weaving is my hobby. Serving as an official is my true path.”】

【“I cannot reverse priorities.”】

【Your mother looked at him with deep affection.】

【She took his hand: “I know. I just want you to know that whatever you choose, I will support you.”】

Feng Zhaoya felt a warmth in her heart.

【My father… although a bit silly sometimes, has a really upright worldview.】

【And my parents’ relationship… is truly good.】

She suddenly felt a bit envious.

Feng Zhaokai smiled faintly.

Their father was indeed a principled man.

Their mother was gentle and considerate, knowing when to step forward and when to step back.

Only such a couple could stay together for a lifetime.

—

【After that, almost everything in the house gradually became bamboo-made.】

The system continued revealing.

【Bamboo beds, bamboo chairs, bamboo baskets, bamboo fans… even cups and chopsticks were bamboo.】

【Your mother joked: “Apart from us, everything in this house is bamboo.”】

【“At this rate, we might as well rename it ‘Bamboo Manor.’”】

【Your father chuckled: “Bamboo is eco-friendly, durable, and elegant!”】

【“And bamboo has joints, symbolizing integrity!”】

【“It suits our family perfectly!”】

【Your mother could do nothing but let him be.】

Feng Zhaoya suddenly realized.

【So the bamboo forest at home was planted by my father!】

【I always thought it was inherited from our ancestors!】

【No wonder he treasures it so much and won’t even let me or my brother casually break a branch.】

Feng Zhaokai quietly laughed inwardly.

So that’s how it was.

—

【The cradle you and your brother slept in as children was also personally woven by your father!】

The system’s tone suddenly softened.

【It was exquisitely crafted. The body was made of fine bamboo strips woven into a hexagonal snowflake pattern, and the rim was lined with smooth polished purple bamboo.】

【Your mother looked at the cradle, and whatever scolding she intended to give, she swallowed it back.】

【She touched the smooth rim and said fondly, “Fine, I’ll let it slide this time.”】

Feng Zhaoya felt warmth in her heart.

【My father… really put his heart into it.】

Feng Zhaokai’s expression softened.

So he and his sister had grown up in a cradle woven by their father’s own hands.

That fatherly love… was hidden in every bamboo strip.

—

【But host, have you noticed something?】

The system suddenly asked.

【Since your father became obsessed with bamboo weaving, he has never mentioned assassins or nightmares again.】

Feng Zhaoya froze.

【So… my father forgot all those troubling things because of bamboo weaving?】

【Yes!】

The system confirmed.

【A person’s energy is limited. When the mind is filled with one thing, other troubles naturally have nowhere to stay.】

【And bamboo weaving gave him a sense of achievement like never before.】

【It was something he chose himself, learned from scratch. Every finished piece was a result of his own effort.】

【That feeling of creating something from nothing made him feel useful.】

Feng Zhaoya let out a soft sigh.

【My father… he actually has such a cute side.】

She had always thought her father was born stern, upright, and unapproachable.

But she didn’t know that he had once been a young man who gave everything just to create something good.

【Then why doesn’t he weave anymore now?】

Feng Zhaoya asked curiously.

【What about the shop?】

【The shop was handed over to Master Wang, who once taught him.】

The system paused slightly.

【As for why he stopped weaving…】